It was Ranma's even considering cheating on Akane that >ruined the 
story for me completely. He really does come off as a >complete bastard.

Remember Ranma trying to convince Shampoo to leave him >alone, the first 
time she appeared in Nerima? Rather swayed by her cute >face when up 
close. Only momentarily, but then, it's the same in this >story. Besides 
Ranma IS a bit of a bastard. He's written as an >insensitive, macho, 
chauvinist, not-terrifically-bright young martial artist. >Brash and a bit 
of a mouthy show-off to boot. Basically decent, but not >exactly a great 
first impression if he existed in real life. He's a bit of >a jerk, 
really, but then most 'heroes' are. Either that, or >they're noble heroes 
with god(author)-given divine blessing. Ranma 1/2 would be >rather boring 
with Dr. Tofu as the hero...

	Hmm, how's this as an explination for Ranma Genma and Soun.  Genma and 
Soun were the students of Happosai, and while they studied under him they tried 
their hardest to learn everything about Martial arts he had to teach, but 
despite their efforts to the contrary they found that Happosei's larcenous 
tendencys, impulsiveness, selfishness, and general dishonorability had become 
really ingrained.  Soun apparently responded to this situation by trying to 
distance himself from teaching Martial arts (Which is why the dojo has so few 
students.)  Genma, on the other hand, was trying to "Purify" the Anything goes 
style by training Ranma in a way which makes Ranma reject the things that were 
now second nature to Genma.  Just a thought.